Safety at a zebra crossing in Chertsey has been called into question after a woman’s mobility scooter was ‘clipped’ by a driver who appeared not to notice her in the middle of the road.

People using the crossing outside the former Castle pub in Fordwater Road say it is ‘very scary and dangerous’, as often drivers will ignore pedestrians or not see them coming.

Some are calling for it to be changed into a pelican crossing with lights, which would allow enough time for people to safely cross the road on foot.

Following the incident, a spokesman for Surrey County Council said it would inspect the site to check the current safety measures were suitable.

Valerie Gorton was on her way to see the doctor on Wednesday (March 30) when she used the zebra crossing while on her mobility scooter.

The 76-year-old said: “The car clipped the front of the scooter. It was going too fast that it couldn’t have stopped and just went off along the road.

“I was going to have my blood pressure taken and when I got there I had to sit and calm down. There was no damage done.

“The car drove off in the direction of the bridge. If I hadn’t have stopped when I saw it coming, goodness knows what would have happened.”

Paul Barnard, Mrs Gorton’s son-in-law, said he believes someone would be killed if nothing was done to change the ‘dangerous’ crossing.

“The crossing needs lights desperately,” Mr Barnard, 31, said.

“Coming out of the junction, you can’t keep an eye on the other traffic.

"We are going to have another school nearby soon and that is going to make it worse.

"Traffic lights would be better.

“I have seen people flying up the road.

“It would be better even if it was moved outside the convenience shop.

"You’re not safe on it. There’s a nursery and primary school that rely on the crossing.”

Another user, Katie Sears, added that she could not remember the number of times she had tried to cross there over the years, many times with a pushchair, and been ‘narrowly avoided or ignored’.

“A friend of mine was waiting patiently to cross that zebra crossing and three cars went over the crossing, totally ignoring her,” she said. “I feel this area could do with a traffic lights crossing there – you take your life in your hands.”

Maria Lye, who also lives nearby, said she thought the council and police should meet residents to discuss the issue.

“The junction is very busy,” she said. “Maybe a new layout is required, with a pelican crossing and a camera? Many drivers seem to think they do not have to stop here.”

Addlestone North councillor Stewart Mackay added: “I think it is long overdue that the zebra crossing is turned in a pelican crossing.

“I don’t think this will make any difference to traffic flow during rush hour.

"However, outside of these hours, Fordwater Road is a fairly fast road and the crossing is difficult to navigate for disabled and people with prams.”

A county council spokesman said: “The safety of our residents is our top priority and although recent surveys showed that speed isn’t an issue, we will inspect the location to check that the current safety measures are suitable.”